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Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Question of the Week

Randy, Mount Juliet, TN
Subj: The harder they come
In your opinion, what are the hardest positions in sports?

Superb question Randy! After careful consideration I’ve chosen the three most challenging positions in professional sports and ranked them accordingly. Let me know if you agree with my selections.

3. Goalie – Imagine having to stop 100 mph rubber pucks with your crotch as foul-mouthed French guys smelling of poutine and stale cigarettes whiz all around you. It’s all in a day’s work for a goalie, the team’s undisputed rock and, quite literally, it’s last line of defense. Contrary to popular belief, goaltenders are often the best skaters and most skilled players on the team and they require amazing agility, instincts and hand-eye co-ordination in order to get the job done.

2. Catcher – There are few positions in professional sports that require as much multitasking as being a catcher. A good backstop must handle pitchers with radically different styles, know the tendencies of each opposing batter, throw out base stealers and be a tackling dummy in the event of a close play at home. As if that weren’t demanding enough, they also have to be fluent in Spanish and they spend up to two hours a game squatting like a bear relieving itself in the woods. With so much resting on their shoulders, it’s hardly surprising that so many former catchers go on to become outstanding Major League managers.

1. Quarterback – Arguably the most-skilled position in all of sports, a good quarterback must direct personnel, read and react to defenses and memorize and execute dozens of complex plays while trying not to get twisted into a pretzel by a masochistic 350 lb linebacker. If you don’t think being a pro quarterback is tough, just ask Chris Weinke, Danny Wuerffel, Gino Torretta or any of other former Heisman Trophy winners who have sputtered in the NFL.

About Me

Ryan Murphy's humorous articles and sports-themed jokes have appeared on more than 170 radio stations and 40 newspapers across the U.S. and Canada. He recognizes that life is hard and that's why he's here to help. Send in some questions and he'll offer some advice. On anything. Well, almost anything.